n.

"Perfectly beautiful," exclaimed several ladies. "There," said the
purser, as four bells rang out and the gong for dinner sounded, "the sun
is kissing the waves." Before any one could answer, the gorgeous sun was
slowly sinking into the blue waters of the Northern Atlantic. Passengers
held their watches and in three minutes the sun had said farewell.

The dinner was much enjoyed. After an evening of charming moonlight,
midnight found all, save those on duty, asleep in the "Majestic," which
was speeding rapidly towards the safe granite docks at Liverpool.

Moonlight at sea is so bewitching, the wonder is that pleasure-seekers
ever consent to land except when denied the companionship of the silver
goddess of night. Whether she races with the clouds, silver tips the
waves, or with her borrowed light floods the world with fairy-like
beauty, it is only that her admirers may exchange sorrow for joy and
conflict for peace.

The sixth day out, the sun illumined a clear sky, and those that loved
the sea were early on deck for exercise and fresh air. These early risers
were well repaid, as the steamer was passing through a great school of
porpoises that sometimes venture long distances from the British Islands.
Alfonso ran to rap at Lucille's door and she hurried on deck to enjoy the
sight. Hundreds of acres of the ocean were alive with porpoises or sea
hogs as sailors often call them.

Porpoises average five feet in length and are the size of a small boy
and quite as playful. These animals are smooth, and black or gray in
color, except the under side which is pure white. They are gregarious
and very sociable in their habits. Porpoises race and play with each
other and dart out of the sea, performing almost as many antics as the
circus clown. They feed on mackerel and herring, devouring large
quantities. Years ago the porpoise was a common and esteemed article of
food in Great Britain and France, but now the skin and blubber only have
a commercial value. The skins of a very large species are used for
leather or boot-thongs.

The early risers were standing on the prow of the steamer where the
cutwater sent constantly into the air a nodding plume of white spray.
Suddenly the watch shouted, "Whale ahead, sir!" Officers and sailors
were astir. Just ahead, and lying in the pathway of the steamer lay a
whale, fifty feet in length, seemingly asleep, for he was motionless. The
officer's first thought was that he would slack spe